Bhubaneswar: Government Railway Police (GRP) busted an interstate sedative drugs cartel and illegal fire arms dealers’ gang here Wednesday. Police have arrested the mastermind Sonu Panda (23) from Saubhagya Nagar area here and seized two bikes from their possession.
GRP officials have also conducted raids at a medicine godown under occupation by the gang at plot No.137 in Dumduma housing board colony near Ruchika market here. Police have seized huge quantity of Wincerex, Corex syrups and Alprazolam tablets worth `2,50,000 and two pistols with four ammunition from the godown.
The Dumduma house owner said they had taken the room on rent to store electronics goods.
“We did not know their activities. We have rented the room to Bipin Swain and seen only two persons. They have hired the room to store their goods stocks seven months ago. They told us they have an electronics shop near Kalpana. Occasionally, they brought clothes, fans and medicines to the house and when we asked about it, they said they were poor people and were doing some part time jobs,” said Subhasini Mohanty, owner of Plot No.137 house.
According to GRP sources, the gang comprising half a dozen members has been operating in Orissa, West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand. They are alleged to have stolen medicine consignments worth `18 lakh belonging to Mumbai-based Macluods Pharma from railway station here September 8.
Earlier, GRP had arrested three persons – Bulu Swain (33) of Ganjam, Susanta Kumar Pradhan (37) of Ganjam and parcel clerk Debasis Sen (56) – October 19, 2016. Bulu Swain was arrested from Kolathia here and a motorcycle seized from him while other accused escaped to West Bengal.
“The accused were dealing with illegal fire arms. A case (142/16) has been registered in this connection. Three accused have been arrested at Raniganj, West Bengal, and a special team of GRPS Bhubaneswar is proceeding to bring them on remand. Sample medicines will be sent to state drugs lab. Further investigation may lead to recovery of more medicines, illegal fire arms,” GRPS IIC Saubhagya Kumar Swain said.
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